Treating itching

However, there are some things you can try – and treatments your GP or pharmacist can offer – that may help relieve an itch and reduce the risk of skin damage caused by scratching.

General tips

keep your nails clean, short and smooth

try patting or tapping the itchy area, rather than scratching it

wear cotton gloves at night to prevent damage from scratching in your sleep

hold a cold compress, such as damp flannel, over the affected area to cool it down

avoid spicy foods, alcohol and caffeine, as these can affect the blood flow in your skin and make itching worse

Bathing

use cool or lukewarm water, rather than hot water

keep baths to less than 20 minutes

try to reduce how often you have a bath or shower if possible

avoid using perfumed soap, shower gel or deodorants – unperfumed substitutes are often available from pharmacists

use unperfumed moisturising lotions and emollients after bathing or showering to help prevent your skin becoming too dry

dab or pat your skin dry, rather than rubbing it

Clothing and fabrics

avoid clothes that irritate your skin, such as wool and some man-made fabrics

wear cotton or silk whenever possible

avoid tight-fitting clothes

use mild laundry detergent that is less likely to irritate your skin

use cool, light, loose bedclothes

Medication

Some lotions, creams and medications available over the counter from pharmacies or on a prescription from your GP can help reduce itchiness.

Common treatments recommended include:

an oily moisturiser or emollient if your skin is dry or flaky

creams containing menthol to cool your skin or anti-itch ingredients such as crotamiton

mild steroid cream (usually for only a few days) for small, inflamed areas – hydrocortisone cream is available from pharmacies over the counter, or your GP can prescribe a steroid cream for you

antihistamine tablets to help control allergic reactions – check with your pharmacist or GP before using these because they are not suitable for everyone

Some antihistamine tablets can make you feel drowsy. This may be helpful if taken at night to help you sleep, but it's important not to drive, use power tools or operate heavy machinery after taking them.

If you have itching in hairy areas such as your scalp, lotions are available specifically for these areas, so you don't have to use sticky creams.

There are also some more powerful medications, such as antidepressants, which may be recommended if the above treatments don't help and your itch is particularly long-lasting.

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Comments

The 2 comments about ‘Treatment’ posted are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

oliverthered said on 06 June 2013

I've found antihistermines only help really well if I'm getting additional sensations and itching where there is no blemish, I find stuff to unblock pours, like very hot water and expholiating helps most generally, but there's a limit to how frequently you can do that until you start looking like you have ocd. I'm going to get some cream with lidocaine in it, as that's a topical anesthetic. Not sure what to do about itchy scabs.

Julie Shrive said on 25 April 2012

As GPs medication says do not give to those with liver or kidney problems why is she ignoring this [ regarding referral for kidney stone] & fact uti medication resolves acute pain & stiffness. Is the NHS causing negligence as when I research / investigate it is a sympton of liver & kidney problems .Surely delays will cause irreversible damage.?